Autonomous vehicle insurance based upon usage

Abstract

Methods and systems for monitoring use, determining risk, and pricing insurance policies for a vehicle having autonomous or semi-autonomous operation features are provided. According to certain aspects, a computer-implemented method for generating or updating usage-based insurance policies for autonomous or semi-autonomous vehicles may be provided. A request to generate an insurance quote may be received via wireless communication, and with the customer's permission, risk levels associated with intended usage by the customer of an autonomous or semi-autonomous vehicle may be determined. An insurance policy may be adjusted based upon the risk levels and the intended vehicle usage. The insurance policy may then be presented on the customer's mobile device for review and approval. In some aspects, the vehicle may be rented, and the intended vehicle usage is measured in distance or duration of vehicle operation. Insurance discounts may be provided to risk averse vehicle owners based upon low risk levels.

What is claimed is: 
     
       1. A computer-implemented method for risk evaluation for one or more autonomous or semi-autonomous vehicles, the method comprising:
 determining, by one or more processors, an identity of a vehicle operator of an autonomous or semi-autonomous vehicle; 
 accessing, by the one or more processors, a vehicle operator profile associated with the vehicle operator, wherein the vehicle operator profile includes information regarding use, by the vehicle operator, of a plurality of autonomous operation features that autonomously or semi-autonomously perform aspects of vehicle control during prior operation; 
 determining, by the one or more processors, a first risk level associated with operation of the autonomous or semi-autonomous vehicle based upon one or more current settings of the plurality of autonomous operation features; 
 presenting, by the one or more processors and on a display, an indication of an operating mode, the operating mode
 having at least one setting for the plurality of autonomous operation features that is different from the one or more current settings, and 
 being characterized by a second risk level lower that the first risk level; 
 
 receiving, by the one or more processors, an input indicating a selection of the operating mode; and 
 based on receiving the input, causing, by the one or more processors, an on-board computer of the vehicle to automatically adjust the at least one setting. 
 
     
     
       2. The computer-implemented method of  claim 1 , further comprising:
 presenting, by the one or more processors and on the display, an option of an insurance policy based on the second risk level; 
 and 
 based on receiving the input, causing, by the one or more processors, the insurance policy to be issued to the vehicle operator. 
 
     
     
       3. The computer-implemented method of  claim 2 , further comprising:
 determining, by the one or more processors, a cost of the insurance policy based upon one or more risk levels associated with separate autonomous operation features. 
 
     
     
       4. The computer-implemented method of  claim 3 , wherein determining the cost of the insurance policy comprises determining the cost for each of the one or more risk levels associated with the separate autonomous operation features based upon environmental conditions. 
     
     
       5. The computer-implemented method of  claim 4 , wherein each of the one or more risk levels are weighted based upon likelihood. 
     
     
       6. The computer-implemented method of  claim 3 , wherein determining the cost of the insurance policy comprises determining the cost based upon interaction between the autonomous operation features. 
     
     
       7. The computer-implemented method of  claim 3 , wherein determining the risk levels comprises determining the risk levels based upon environmental conditions including one or more of weather, traffic, road conditions, time of day, location of operation or type of road. 
     
     
       8. The computer-implemented method of  claim 3 , wherein determining the risk levels comprises determining the risk levels based upon environmental conditions determined based upon signals received from one or more sensors on the vehicle or a source of external data. 
     
     
       9. The computer-implemented method of  claim 1 , wherein the operating mode is a first operating mode and the method further comprising:
 monitoring, by the one or more processors, the settings of the plurality of autonomous operation features and current environmental conditions including at least current weather conditions during use of the autonomous or semi-autonomous vehicle by the vehicle operator; 
 determining, by the one or more processors, a a change in the current environmental conditions; and 
 presenting on the display, by the one or more processors, an option to select a lower-cost insurance policy associated with a second operating mode associated with a lower risk level under the changed current environmental conditions. 
 
     
     
       10. The computer-implemented method of  claim 9 , further comprising:
 determining, by the one or more processors, that the changed risk level exceeds a threshold level of risk before presenting the option to the display. 
 
     
     
       11. The computer-implemented method of  claim 9 , further comprising:
 receiving, by the one or more processors, a selection to accept the option for the lower-cost insurance policy; and 
 based on receiving the selection, causing, by the one or more processors, to automatically adjust one or more settings of the plurality of autonomous operation features to implement the second operating mode. 
 
     
     
       12. The computer-implemented method of  claim 11 , wherein a cost of the lower-cost insurance policy is based upon one or more of a route of operation, a time of day of operation, a duration of a vehicle trip, a distance of a vehicle trip, traffic conditions, or geographic location of a vehicle trip. 
     
     
       13. The computer-implemented method of  claim 12 , wherein the cost of the lower-cost insurance policy is based upon versions of the autonomous operation features of the autonomous or semi-autonomous vehicle. 
     
     
       14. A computer system for risk evaluation for one or more autonomous or semi-autonomous vehicles, comprising:
 one or more processors; 
 a program memory coupled to the one or more processors and storing executable instructions that when executed by the one or more processors cause the computer system to:
 determine an identity of a vehicle operator of an autonomous or semi-autonomous vehicle; 
 access a vehicle operator profile associated with the vehicle operator, wherein the vehicle operator profile includes information regarding use of, during prior operations of the vehicle, a plurality of autonomous operation features that autonomously or semi-autonomously perform aspects of vehicle control during prior operation; 
 determine a first risk level-associated with operation of the autonomous or semi-autonomous vehicle based upon one or more current settings of the plurality of autonomous operation features; 
 present, on a display, an indication of an operating mode, the operating mode
 having at least one setting for the plurality of autonomous operation features that is different from the one or more current settings, and 
 being characterized by a second risk level lower that the first risk level; 
 
 receive an input indicating a selection of the operating mode; and 
 based on receiving the input, cause an on-board computer of the vehicle to automatically adjust the at least one setting. 
 
 
     
     
       15. The computer system of  claim 14 , wherein the program memory further stores executable instructions that cause the computer system to:
 present, on the display, an option of the of an insurance policy based on the second risk level 
 and 
 based on receiving the input, cause the insurance policy to be issued to the vehicle operator. 
 
     
     
       16. The computer system of  claim 15 , wherein determining a cost of the insurance policy is based upon one or more risk levels associated with separate autonomous operation features. 
     
     
       17. A tangible, non-transitory computer-readable medium storing instructions for risk evaluation for one or more autonomous or semiautonomous vehicles that, when executed by at least one processor of a computer system, cause the computer system to:
 determine an identity of a vehicle operator of an autonomous or semi-autonomous vehicle; 
 access a vehicle operator profile associated with the vehicle operator, wherein the vehicle operator profile includes information regarding use, by the vehicle operator, of a plurality of autonomous operation features that autonomously or semi-autonomously perform aspects of vehicle control during prior operation; 
 determine a first risk level associated with operation of the autonomous or semi-autonomous vehicle based upon one or more current settings of the plurality of autonomous operation features; 
 present, on a display, an indication of an operating mode, the operating mode
 having at least one setting for the plurality of autonomous operation features that is different from the one or more current settings, and 
 being characterized by a second risk level lower that the first risk level; 
 
 receive an input indicating a selection of the operating mode; and 
 based on receiving the selection, cause an on-board computer of the vehicle to automatically adjust the at least one setting. 
 
     
     
       18. The computer-readable medium of  claim 17 , further comprising instructions that cause the computer system to:
 present, on the display, an option of an insurance policy based on the second risk level 
 and 
 based on receiving the input, cause the insurance policy to be issued to the vehicle operator. 
 
     
     
       19. The computer-readable medium of  claim 18 , wherein a cost of the insurance policy is determined based upon one or more risk levels associated with separate autonomous operation features, and
 the one or more risk levels are determined based upon environmental conditions including one or more of weather, traffic, road conditions, time of day, location of operation or type of road. 
 
     
     
       20. The computer system of  claim 19 , wherein the risk levels are:
 based upon environmental conditions including one or more of weather, traffic, road conditions, time of day, location of operation or type of road, and 
 determined based upon signals received from one or more sensors on the vehicle or a source of external data.